Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-16
GRAND JURY REPORT.
Condition OF Public Institutions
proyemeAts Suggested, Etc.

Condition of Public Institutions
provements Suggested, Etc.
The following is the report in full Of the
Grand Jury presented to the court on Sat-
urday:
Hon. w. ]. Galbraith, Judge Of the Sec-
ond judicial District of the Territory OF
Montana:
We, the Grand Jury empaneIled for the
February term, respectfully submit this
our final report.
We met Monday, February 70, 1887,
and have been in session ten days, have
passed upon thirty mine cases. OF which We
have ignored sixteen and returned indict-
ments in twenty three.
On Thursday, March 10, three members
of the Grand Jury visited the County Hos
pital, the condition and management Of
which we're found entirely satisfactory.
On March IL the Jury in body visited
and inspected the County Jail. The ar
rangements for securely lodging and prop
erly taking care of prisoners in the cages Of
this establishment are everything that
could be desired. But once out OF the
cages, through an oversight of the Jailer,
it is comparatively an easy matter to
climb through the ceiling and gain the out
side. We would therefore recommend to
the County Commissioners the covering OF
the ceiling with number IL sheet iron and
the lining of the walls with suitable
grating.
We would suggest to the County Commits.
sioners the building OF q suitable fence
about the Court House and the erection at
as early day as possible OF a Poor House
for the better accommodation and care OF
~. 100, <,f
Omy.
On March IL five members of the Grand
Jury also visited the offices of the Clerk
and Recorder and of the Treasurer Of the
county. We found them well arranged and
the work in the respective departments pro-
crossing in systematic and thorough man.
ner. The Treasurer should have a burglar
and fire-proof safe in which to keep the
records and other valuables, such as bonds,
coupons, etc. The one now in use is too
small and utterably inadequate for thepur-
pose.
We would also respectfully suggest to the
County Commissioners the advisability of
appointing experts, whose duty it shall be
to thoroughly examine aud report upon
the books OF county officials once a year,
as it is impossible for the Grand Juries in
the short time at their command to more
than glance over them.
In some cases coming before this Grand
Jury from Justices Courts, it was found
that witnesses whose testimony was utter
ly immaterial have been subpenaed at an
expense to the county. Too great caution
in this respect cannot be used by Justices
of the Peace.
We would respectfully submit to the
Court that in one case in which witnesses
were examined in the early part OF our
session. we have been endeavoring to pro-
cure the attendance of a very material wit
ness on the part Of the prosecution, who
resides at a considerable distance. Hewa
duly subpenaed and failed to appear and
now we are informed that, on account OF
high waters, it will be impossible to secure
his attendance under ten days. That on
account OF the calling away OF one of the
present Grand Jury by sickness in his fam.
lily, by the time the attendance Of this wit
ness could be secured, we would be unable
to vote on the case. We would therefore
respectfully ask for our final discharge.
[signed] JOSEPH A. HYDE,
March II, 1887. Foreman.